Saturday, January 12, 2013

US mulls aid to French in Mali, including drones

PHOTO | HABIBOU KOUYATE The Interim President of Mali, Dioncounda Traore (Back center R), speaks with ministers, during a cabinet meeting at which a national state of emergency was declared, in Bamako, on January 11, 2013.
AFP

In Summary

Senior US officials held talks with their counterparts in the French capital and other allies on drawing up an action plan, according to a US official

The United States said Friday it shared France's goal of denying the extremists safe haven in Mali

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By AFP

WASHINGTON

The US military is weighing support for French forces in Mali including surveillance drones, a US official said Friday, as Washington backed moves to deny safe haven to extremists in the country.

US commanders were looking at providing intelligence and aerial refuelling tankers among a range of options, such as logistical backup and boosting intelligence sharing, which would involve surveillance drones, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP.

Backed by French air power, Mali on Friday unleashed an offensive against Islamist rebels who have seized control of the north of the West African country and are now threatening to push south.

Senior US officials held talks with their counterparts in the French capital and other allies on drawing up an action plan, the official said.

President Francois Hollande confirmed in Paris that French forces were supporting an attack aimed at repelling the Al-Qaeda-linked radicals who have triggered international alarm with moves towards the capital Bamako.

The United States said Friday it shared France's goal of denying the extremists safe haven in Mali.